is it a challenge card or a challenging card

When I saw the Tuesday Trigger, I immediately envisioned the perfect card that would make me a Trigger Target. It made use of a Memory Box wreath stamp, gorgeous PTI autumn rose felt, sweet little berries that were a steal last year at Michael’s… but, wait, I had to burst that thought bubble before it got any bigger. I had no time for felt flowers; there were birthday cards to be made – for guys – which brings me back to the title of this post.

I, too, fall into that majority group of card makers, those who are challenged by masculine cards. I tend toward fussier cards with lots of layers and pretty colors, not something my brother-in-law would want to receive for his birthday. That fantasy in fall photo would not leave me be, though, so I decided to try to use it for inspiration for Jon’s card.

Three elements – the colors, the circles of the flowers, and the imbalanced weight – had the most influence on the card’s design. The colors started out as the four felt colors, but the rose shade, even though in a masculine pattern, pushed the card toward a more feminine feel. I ended up switching it to the orange dotted paper, which picked up the orange of the berries. The use of circles is fairly obvious with the layered circles visually capturing the shape and depth of the flowers. Lastly, the majority of the weight of both the wreath and the photo is found in one area. I tried to mimic that with the layered border running down the side of the card.

Generally, I am a very literal person and would have run with a wreath design, no explanations required. It was fun and challenging to push myself in a different direction with this Tuesday Trigger.

The many circles that ended up on this card fall right into Tip Top Shape #4 of Creative Paper Trade’s fourth challenge. Just like Cath, Andrea shares some stunning photographs as inspiration. I would love to see that waterfall in person.

I hope that any challenges you might face this week are no greater than those I experienced making Jon’s card.

nancy

supplies:

paper:  rustic cream c/s (PTI); Island Mist Double Dot pp (Bo Bunny); Dolled Up, Lost & Found Two Sunshine, and Six by Six Vanity Fair collections (MME)

stamps:  tag-its #10 and Birthday Basics (PTI)

ink:  rich cocoa dye (Memento); VersaMark

dies and punches:  simple circles border (PTI); standard circles large (Spellbinders); jumbo circle punch (Marvy Uchida)

extras:  clear embossing powder and gold Stickles (Ranger)